Cocaine Comedown: Effects, Risks, And More

Cocaine is a very potent stimulant. Derived from the coca plant, it also goes by the street names of coke and crack. Cocaine is used recreationally worldwide, as it induces temporary feelings of energy, hyperactivity, and, most importantly, a high or euphoria.

Cocaine, while infamous for its euphoric effects, is also known for a cocaine comedown. A cocaine crash or a downswing of sorts. But what exactly does this mean? So, in this blog, we shall seek to comprehensively understand a cocaine comedown, its effects, and its risks.

What is a Cocaine Comedown?

A cocaine comedown is also known as a cocaine crash. It is when the effects of cocaine begin to wear off. It is, in simple words, a hangover. A cocaine comedown, like any other hangover, leads to intensely unpleasant symptoms. More than being unpleasant, it is also dangerous.

The dangerous thing about a cocaine comedown is that to avoid this, people use higher quantities of cocaine or binge on cocaine to maintain the effect of the drug. While this may reduce the chances of a cocaine comedown, it inadvertently heightens the risk of misuse and dependence. In extreme cases, cocaine misuse and dependence lead to overdose and death.

Unfortunately, cocaine-related deaths are only increasing each year. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that cocaine-related deaths have risen steadily in the U.S., from 6,784 in 2015 to 15,883 in 2019. Therefore, the discomforts and dangers of cocaine comedown are among the most crucial things that cocaine users need to be wary of.

Cocaine Comedown vs. Alcohol Hangover

A cocaine comedown sounds very similar to an alcohol hangover. For many, these are the same things. Hangover is a term used to describe the aftereffects of several drugs, including stimulants. Most commonly, it is used to refer to the effects of consuming too much alcohol the day before. However, a cocaine comedown is more specific. It is more strongly and intensely felt than an alcohol hangover.

Cocaine comedown can last for a few days after the high wears off. Whereas, an alcohol hangover lasts for less than 2 days. It results from heavy drinking the day before; 2 or 3 drinks do not really result in a hangover. However, even one or more doses of cocaine can lead to a cocaine comedown.

While a hangover is more or less easily dealt with, dealing with a cocaine comedown is not easy to get over. Dangerously, it leads to binging on the drug to avoid it. This leads to other long-term consequences, like misuse and dependence.

What Does a Cocaine Comedown Feel Like?

Cocaine comedown has physical and psychological effects. However, what it feels like is also something crucial to know. Cocaine comedown is often characterized by low mood and anxiety. In fact, a cocaine comedown can lead to vivid, unsettling dreams. They can worsen the aforementioned feelings.

Overall, a cocaine comedown is a distressing event, as it lowers the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for a positive mood. When this goes down, one's emotions also begin to consume a person.

Get Started With Nuview Treatment Center

Our dedicated professional staff is here to guide you or your loved one on the journey to lasting recovery, offering support every step of the way.

(323) 307-7997

What Are the Effects of Cocaine Comedown?

Cocaine comedown is characterized by many physical and psychological effects. In a nutshell, it is disturbing, as it gives rise to restlessness, tiredness, low mood, anxiety, vivid and disturbing dreams, sleep difficulties, and so on.

While the effects vary from person to person, they are strongly and intensely felt. Therefore, cocaine comedown requires treatment and management. If left untreated, it can lead to cocaine dependence and misuse.

What Are the Physical and Mental Effects of a Cocaine Comedown?

The physical effects of a cocaine comedown are:

• Increased appetite
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Body aches and pains
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Slowing down of the body

The mental effects of a cocaine comedown are:

• Restlessness
• Depressed mood
• Angry outbursts
• Sleep difficulties
• Vivid, disturbing dreams
• Mental fog
• Slowing down of the brain

While the symptoms mentioned above are some of the most common symptoms, cocaine comedown is not limited to them. If anybody finds themselves increasingly using cocaine and becoming dependent on it, then they need to seek treatment. Along with other things, treatment helps control cocaine comedown symptoms as well.

How Long Does a Cocaine Comedown Last?

Typically, a cocaine comedown can last for 3 days. However, this can vary from one person to another. A cocaine comedown begins from the moment the effects of the high wear off and lingers on for a few days. This is a very discomforting and distressing experience.

What Are the Symptoms of a Cocaine Comedown?

Cocaine comedown symptoms can manifest physically, psychologically, and emotionally.

Common symptoms are:

• Restlessness
• Anxiety and agitation
• Depressed mood
• Body aches and pains
• Increased appetite
• Tiredness
• Sleeping difficulties
• Vivid, unsettling dreams
• Brain fog
• Slowed down brain and body activity

Get Started With Nuview Treatment Center

Start Your Journey

What Helps Manage a Cocaine Comedown?

Experiencing a cocaine comedown or a cocaine crash is unpleasant and discomforting. However, it can be managed by following these steps:

• Keep the body hydrated. Drink lots of water. It keeps the body healthy and even reduces the chances of dehydration, a common side effect of cocaine use.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet. This is required to maintain energy levels and the blood sugar levels in the body.
• Get adequate rest. Sleep for 7 - 9 hours a day and follow a consistent sleeping routine.

While the above-mentioned steps help keep the mind and body healthy, cocaine is a highly addictive and dangerous drug. Therefore, it requires treatment to manage cocaine use and, by extension, cocaine comedown as well.

Cocaine use treatment involves a combination of detoxification, psychotherapy, and aftercare.

What is a Cocaine Binge?

A cocaine binge is one of the dangerous effects of a cocaine comedown. It is when cocaine is consumed in large quantities within a very short period of time. People engage in cocaine binge to keep the effects of cocaine comedown at bay.

While a cocaine binge can reduce the chances of a cocaine comedown, it leads to the following effects:

• Reduced appetite
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dilated pupils
• High body temperature
• Numbness in the nose, mouth, and throat regions
• Enhanced mood
• Increased alertness
• Shakiness
• Paranoia
• Increased risk of violence toward others

In the long term, cocaine binges can lead to cocaine dependence and misuse.

What Are the Risks Associated with Cocaine Withdrawal?

Cocaine withdrawal, while different from a cocaine comedown, is another risk associated with cocaine use and binging. It is when one tries to cut down cocaine use. As the body gets used to a certain level of cocaine with regular cocaine users, when the cocaine supply is cut off, it leads to intensely unpleasant cocaine withdrawal symptoms. They are as follows:

• Restlessness
• Agitation
• Depressed mood
• Tiredness
• Sleep difficulties
• Vivid, disturbing dreams
• Slowing down of the brain and body

These symptoms are very similar to a cocaine comedown. Cocaine withdrawal makes it difficult to quit cocaine despite trying. Hence, it requires proper treatment.

What Are the Treatment Options for Cocaine Comedown?

If you or someone you know is struggling with the symptoms of a cocaine comedown or withdrawal, it's important to seek professional help. Treatment options can include:

Rehabilitation Programs: These programs offer a structured environment to help individuals quit cocaine use and address the underlying issues contributing to addiction.

Psychotherapy - Psychotherapy or talk therapy seeks to address the underlying reasons for cocaine use. It can range from motivational interviewing to cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, psychotherapy also equips a person with coping skills to manage triggers, cravings, and other difficulties linked with cocaine use.

Aftercare - Recovery from cocaine use is not a single step. It is lifelong, and recovery needs to be the priority every day. This involves supportive counseling, healthy living, enrolling in informal support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), social support, and so on.

Support Groups: Peer support can be invaluable in the recovery process, offering a space to share experiences and coping strategies.

Start Your Personalized Treatment Plan

Our dedicated professional staff is here to design a treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, guiding you or your loved one on the journey to lasting recovery.

(323) 307-7997

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Comedown?

A comedown refers to a cocaine comedown. It is when the effects of cocaine begin to wear off.

Does Cocaine Give You a Hangover?

While not known as a hangover per se, a cocaine comedown is what happens when the effects of cocaine begin to wear off.

How to Come Down Off Cocaine?

Staying hydrated, eating a healthy diet, and getting adequate rest helps in combating a cocaine comedown. Seeking treatment is also a crucial step toward healing and balance.

How to Come Down from a Cocaine High?

To come down from a cocaine high, one must follow healthy practices like staying hydrated, eating healthily, and resting. It may also require medical supervision.

What's the Difference Between a Cocaine Comedown and a Cocaine Hangover?

Cocaine comedown and cocaine hangover are synonyms. A cocaine comedown is also known as a cocaine crash.

Can a Cocaine Comedown Lead to Cravings and Further Drug Use?

Yes, a cocaine comedown can lead to cravings and a cocaine binge as well.